'North,' in Isaiah 14:31, signifies hell. 'The North,' as in Jeremiah 3:12, signifies people who are ignorant of truth, and yet have the life of good. 'North' signifies people in obscurity regarding truth.

(Riferimenti: Arcana Coelestia 3708 [1-23])

2428. 'Behold now, this city is near to flee to it' means that he would be allowed [to think and act] from the truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'a city' as doctrinal teaching, and so the truth of faith, dealt with in 402, 2268. It is said to be 'near' because truth is closely related to good. Consequently 'to flee to it' means that he would be allowed to do so from that truth because he would be unable to do so from good, 2422.